Town of East Hampton
Town Council Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman John Tuttle, Council members Thomas Cordeiro, William Devine (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Christopher Goff, Barbara Moore and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Ms. Moore, to approve the minutes of the Town Council Regular Meeting of November 24, 2009. Voted (6-0-1) Mr. Devine abstained as he was not present at that meeting.
Student Council Report: Brandon Goff from the Middle School reported the following:
- The 6th graders enjoyed the Mad Hatter’s Ball, a party with games and contests that replaced the annual Halloween Bash. The Bash was postponed due to the flu outbreak and the Ball had activities from many different holidays and events.
- The 7th and 8th grades celebrated their first dance of the year on December 4th with over 250 students dancing and enjoying together. Between the two events, more than 350 items were donated to the East Hampton Food Bank.
- Basketball season has started for the boys and girls teams.
- The Middle School band marched in the Veteran’s Day parade in Hartford in November.
- The Book Fair is taking place at the Middle School this week.
- The Student Council will once again be holding its annual Pennies for Patients drive, collecting money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is the tenth year the Middle School has done collections and they have collected over $20,000 in the last nine years. Donations will be collected in late January.
Special Presentation:
Parks & Recreation 5 Year Action Plan: Ruth Plummer, Director of Parks & Recreation, provided an overview of the draft of the Parks & Recreation 5-Year Action Plan. She reviewed the various projects and their priority on the plan. The draft plan will be included with the minutes in the Town Clerk’s office.
Public Remarks:
Dennis Erickson, 17 Hills Avenue, spoke in support of an ordinance for a tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
Peter Evans Jr., Royal Oaks, inquired about bus stop issues in Royal Oaks. The developer/owner is no longer allowing the school bus to travel on the private property of the Royal Oaks Development.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, commented that the plan for Parks & Recreation is a great plan. She feels an inventory of all of the Parks & Recreation assets in the community would be helpful. She also commented on the property near the Middle School that the Council decided not to pursue. The current land that the cross country teams run on is another piece of private property. That owner recently passed away and that land could possibly not be available for cross country due to liability issues. She noted the town should do an appraisal on the property that the Council originally considered.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, would like the Council consider the veteran’s ordinance that is being proposed. She also noted a concern regarding economic development seeing stores closing in town. She is hopeful the Council will make this a top priority. She also commented on a magazine she picked up in Chester with articles on Bevin Bell and Elizabeth Sennett. The town should focus on the assets we have and try to capitalize on them.
Fran Klein, 12 Bellevue Street, commented that spouses should be included in the veteran’s ordinance if possible. She also asked for an update on the report regarding noise at Angelico’s presented by Mr. Carey at a recent Council meeting. She also asked how much of the Council’s priorities will come from what the town residents think.
Ms. Engel read a letter from Kim Fontaine, 4 Railroad Avenue, regarding her support for the creation of a permanent skate and BMX park at Sears Park. She would also like the East Hampton Skate Park Committee to be included in the process of creating a permanent skate park. The letter will be included in the minutes filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
New Business:
Acceptance of Three Roads in Royal Oaks Development:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the roads to be approved in the Royal Oaks Development and noted the issue brought up during public remarks concerning school busing is between the bus company, the school district and the developer/owner of the roads. The Council discussed the road acceptance and the bus issues.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to accept right of way for the Royal Oaks Subdivision Phase I including Royal Oaks Avenue, Joseph Court, Nicholas Court, sidewalks, catch basins, manholes and underground drainage pipes. Voted (2-5) Mr. Goff and Ms. Weintraub in favor, Ms. Engel, Mr. Tuttle, Mr. Devine and Mr. Cordeiro against.
After further discussion indicating that the road acceptance and school busing are two separate issues, Ms. Engel, a dissenting party in the original vote, suggested that the motion be addressed again. The punch list items for the roads have been completed. The Town Attorney, Planning & Zoning and CLA Engineers have given their approval for road acceptance. Mr. O’Keefe will speak with Dr. Golden and Mr. Pelletier regarding the school bus matter.
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Weintraub, to accept right of way for the Royal Oaks Subdivision Phase I including Royal Oaks Avenue, Joseph Court, Nicholas Court, sidewalks, catch basins, manholes and underground drainage pipes. Voted (6-1) Mr. Devine against.
Consideration of a Veterans Property Tax Exemption:
The Town Council directed the Town Manager to draft an ordinance for a tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans with wording to include the spouse to be presented at the next Council meeting. The Council will then schedule a public hearing on the ordinance.
Discussion of Emergency Management – Civil Preparedness Agency:
A motion was made by Mr. Goff, seconded by Ms. Moore, to appoint the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, a Health Department representative, the Ambulance Director, the Public Works Director, as well as Council member Thomas Cordeiro to formally serve on the Civil Preparedness Agency. Voted (7-0).
Ms. Weintraub asked about a community plan for evacuations. Mr. O’Keefe reported that the town does have an Emergency Operations Plan in place. He will review how the plan is communicated to the public. The new agency will be tasked with the communication plan. Ms. Weintraub also noted the ordinance may need to be updated to include the new title for the Emergency Management Director as it was originally listed as Civil Preparedness Director.
Old Business:
Discussion of Council Priorities:
The Council members discussed and compiled a listing noting each member’s top 5 priorities. The listing was then reviewed to determine the priorities most chosen by the members. The priorities will not be voted on until after the Let’s Talk Meeting on January 21st so that comments can be obtained from the public. The priorities most chosen by the Council members are; Lake Improvements, Roads and Bridges, Facilities: School and/or Town Hall/Library, Water, Economic Development and Charter Revision.
Discussion of Charter Revision Procedural Guidelines:
Mr. O’Keefe provided a timeline received from the Town Attorney regarding the Charter Revision process. He also reviewed costs involved for neighboring towns during their charter revision. At the Town Council meeting on January 12th, two resolutions will be considered, one to take action to amend the charter and another to appoint members and to state the charge of the Charter Revision Committee. Each member discussed items that they feel should be reviewed in the charter. An ad will be placed in the Rivereast for residents to submit a letter of interest for consideration of membership on the Charter Revision Committee.
Report of the Town Manager:
Mr. O’Keefe reviewed the following:
- The application to the State Board of Education for the Memorial School Roof needs to be submitted to see if it would be approved. There is one question that needs to be answered for bond counsel; would the approval go through referendum or town meeting? This topic will be placed on the January 12th agenda for a decision.
- The Town Manager met with Jim Carey and Paul Angelico regarding his plans for noise control and the Planning & Zoning submittal. Mr. Angelico will go back to his consultant with the suggestions from the Town consultant’s suggestions. Mr. Angelico will possibly come back to Planning & Zoning with a modified plan. There was no firm commitment. Mr. O’Keefe will keep the Council updated.
- The Nature Conservancy Land Use Summit was held on December 5th. Approximately 20 people attended from East Hampton. A plaque was presented to each town. Mr. O’Keefe is hopeful East Hampton will be selected as a pilot town.
- Interviews for the third Animal Control Officer will be held on December 16th.
- The first Let’s Talk East Hampton will be held on January 21st at the Middle School Library with the topic Council Priorities. Each Council member will provide 5 names to the Town Manager’s office for a person letter of invitation to the meeting.
- The Village Center Holiday event took place on December 5th. Despite the rain the event was a success.
- The January Chamber of Commerce Meeting will be hosted by an economic development panel. It will include Jim Carey, Rich Leone and Developer Steve Motto.
- There is one opening on the Central Regional Tourism District that needs to be filled.
- The Budget Policy Statement should be started. Mr. Cordeiro and Ms. Moore will work on the draft.
- Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Jylkka viewed a reverse auction webinar. State statutes allow municipalities to do reverse auctions.
- Ann McKinney is working with the other probate courts to determine the location and name of the combined court.
- HTNP has requested that their link be added back to the town website. No action was taken.
- Complaints have been received regarding the water tower on Summit Street. The tower is privately owned. The owner’s attorney is on notice that this is a high priority item. The property owner is liable for any damage done by pieces falling from the tower.
- Council meetings will be aired on Comcast on the Thursday following the Council meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Devine excused himself from the meeting at this time.
Ms. Weintraub asked if the dispatcher issues were resolved. Mr. O’Keefe indicated that they have been resolved. She also asked about the abandoned vehicles behind town hall. The vehicles will be going to auction.
Mr. Goff asked when the Comstock Bridge will be moved for repairs. No notification has been given yet.
Resolutions/Ordinances/Policies/Proclamations: None
Bids and Contracts: None
Appointments: None
Financial Statements and Transactions: None
Tax Refunds:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Cordeiro, to approve tax refunds in the amount of $2,678.91. Voted (6-0).
Communications, Correspondence & Announcements: None
Public Remarks:
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked if the letters for the Charter Revision Committee can go to the Appointments Subcommittee for the Council to vote on rather than the Chair and Vice Chair choosing the members.
Laurie Wasilewski, Hog Hill Road, asked if the Council already has a consensus about the Charter being revised and whether it will pass.
Irene Curtis, 13 Wangonk Trail, commented that she was at the P&Z meeting that included the Angelico’s application. The application also included an increase of impervious surface, not just the noise issue.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked about the property on Route 66 with the exposed basement. Is there an update?
Patience Anderson, 17 Anderson Way, complimented the Council for working together on the Council priority list. She also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Mr. O’Keefe responded to some of the public comments.
- The owner of the property near the Middle School did do an appraisal that came in at $80,000.
- EDC is working with Bevin Bell and put them in contact with the Middlesex Revitalization Commission for potential loans.
- A follow up will be done with Jim Carey regarding the exposed basement on Route 66.
Reserved: None
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. Goff, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
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